Well, a lot of singers are like that. Like I said, he is an amazing actor and even though I don't like his falsetto I love to hear how he acts out the song just in his voice. And he has a good lower register. The musical that I like him best in is THE WILD PARTY because it is lower and "darker" than his other stuff.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
I think weak is the wrong word; soft, perhaps, but when he puts so much emotion into what he's singing (another thing he is criticized for), 'weak' is hardly appropriate. And even if it is weak, doesn't that suit the character? Archie is tormented by his loss and has been grieving for so long that he barely is alive. TSG is one of my favorite Mandy performances.
Well, I am not talking about JUST Secret Garden. I mean he does it in every musical he does. Yes, I agree it does fit the part in SECRET GARDEN but it still erks me. Not as much as others but still..... Ok, and I give you that "weak" wasn't the best word. "Soft" is better.
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
It is not the performer's fault...it is the fans...
It's my opinion that there is a difference between evaluating Idina as a performer and evaluating the fan frenzy that surrounds her. I think some are being a little harsh on her simply because they are annoyed at the overzealous fans.
As someone who has seen her perform for 9 years now, I think we may have differing opinions of her as opposed to the people who have only come to know of her fairly recently. After seeing her through many major productions now, I don't consider her to be over rated for many reasons -- including her work ethic, vocal power, charisma on stage, versatility, etc. Those that don't agree? It's fine. But don't judge her based on the the platform the psycho fans have placed her on. And yes she has her share of those fans.....
I found it shocking that people here said Donna Murphy was overrated. I found her amazing in Wonderful Town even if it wasn't her full range.
As for overrated performers go I would have to say Idina. I mean she has a great voice but all the fans on the board here made her out to be like she was the greatest thing since slice bread.
The towel waving reminded me of a Per?nist rally. I kept chanting "Evita!" whenever they'd pan to the crowds. - SM2
I think Idina Menzel is overrated, but personally I don't think she should be labeled as such from lack of talent. I find her acting precise, heartfelt, and completely believable. Her voice can be beautiful, powerful, and emotional. But I think she's become overrated because of her cult following and sickening giddy fan girls (and boys) who worhsip her beyond the level of a goddess. Same goes for Chenoweth.
I'm not very familiar with Mandy Patinkin in general, but I found his Ché horribly overrated. Every time I listen to him on Evita OCR, I sit in disbelief of how they failed to find anyone better than him. His voice is more or less pleasing to ear, but to me it is anything but impressive. He communicates very little emotion with his voice, and there is no dynamic variation. Just my opinion though. I haven't heard him in anything else.
One performer I've seen but have no idea how much hype she has is Tonya Dixon as Fantine. Rather disapointing ...
Yeah...I wasn't saying that I thought idina was overrated because of her crazy fans, but that they are the ones who think she is a goddess...I think yes, she is a very talented woman, and has made a name for herself in new york because of hard work, but when people say that she "is the best singer they have ever heard" i cringe.
awkward.
"I think it was the Korean tour or something. They were all frickin' asian!" -Zoran912
Greg Edelman - lifeless Mandy Patinkin - shriekingly awful Antonio Banderas - can't understand a word he sings Patti LuPone - sings the role the same everytime Ethel Merman - ouch! My ears! Michael Crawford - Forbidden Broadway says it all Matthew Broderick - boring Nathan Lane - I really don't like milkers or people with really obnoxious nasal squeaky tones Ben Vereen - not a nice person. VERY egotistical. my God...I can make this list neverending...
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
kay if it's gonna cause so much trouble, Donna Murphy is not overrated..I'm sorry, I just didn't like Wonderful Town. Shoot me why don't you.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
I know this really isn't the proper definition for "overrated" but when I think overrated I think about someone who has been talked about a lot and admired, no, not admired, but really OBESSESD over and over-talked about, who turns out not to be that brilliant.
Just my opinion, see i was on this other board before when Wonderful Town came out and EVERYbody was talking about how amazing the show is, etc etc....
And I just didn't like the CD. I'll admit, I guess that doesn't make her overrated. I admit, I havent seen Donna Murphy in anything else, and I should be open-minded and judge not only on one performance.
Kay.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
The show sucked. Donna Murphy was brilliant. Therefore, Wonderful Town is overated. Not Donna.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
ah. I dunno, maybe it just was the songs that bugged me, usually I agree when a singer does well. Maybe I should give Wonderful Town another few listens.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
Somethign I have learned. You can never judge a performance by a cast recording. You are only "hearing" what they can do, and you are not getting the full package.
I.e. People complain about Kristin Chenowith's voice being annoying. The majority of these people that complain are basing their opinion off of recordings. They have never seen her on stage.
Donna Murphy worked the stage and gave 200% in her performance of a half-assed hurried to finish script.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
::nods:: I get it now. I suppose Ill pick up a few of Donna Murphy's other works then figure it out. thank ya
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
If you can, try and see her in the DVD of Passion.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.
Anika Noni Rose. In my opinion, she is a good actress with a weak singing voice. I sat in the fourth row of CAROLINE - close enough so I could hear her "real" voice over the mic - not much there. Without the mic she may have been audible to perhaps the sixth row.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
No, let's not talk about people without a shred of talent. Then you're equating overrated with bad...and there's an important distinction. Overrated is not a reflection of talent, it's a reflection of the praise received.
I think these people are overrated (NOT untalented):
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
A few male performers- I'm not going to name names- get attention here that is far out of proportion with their accomplishments because they go to the gym on a regular basis.
God save me from the verbal bashing that will come down upon me for saying this, but...I do not get the obsession with Adam Pascal. He has a good singing voice, not great, but is a mediocre actor.
"One no longer loves one's insight enough once one communicates it."
The opposite of creation isn't war, it's stagnation.
Priest, although I want to agree with you (the more I listen to his singing voice, the more I realise, it's really not THAT good), I have to say, he is a wonderful presence on stage. I wish I would have seen him in Aida. I wasn't into the Will Chase acting like Adam thing.
"Do you know what pledge time is, Andrew"? said the PBS Executive.
"Yes", Lloyd Webber replied. "My 50th birthday special must be one program that gets done a lot."
"No", mused the man from PBS heedlessy. "Not so much. Our Stephen Sondheim Carnegie Hall concert. That's a big one."
Spoons, forks and knives seemed suddenly to suspend their motion in horror, all around the table.